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July 1, 2008
Dear Fellow Maryland Arborist Association Member:
First, let me introduce myself as your newly elected President. My name is Nick
Valentine and I have been in the tree care industry since 1988. I am an ISA
Certified Arborist and a Certified Maryland Tree Expert. I will give you more
biography details in our next newsletter. That being said I look forward to
serving you as your president for the next two years.
The Board of Directors and I thank you for your support of this organization. It
is through loyal members like yourself that the MAA is able to continue its
purpose “to improve the practice of tree preservation by bringing together
persons and/or firms engaged in the business of arboriculture within the state
of Maryland.”
Here are some highlights of what the MAA has accomplished and is planning for
2008:
1. Several of your board members met with the DNR and legislators during the
General Assembly seeking sponsorship for changes to the Tree Expert Law, which
were previously published in our newsletter. We will continue to communicate
with these folks in order to keep the professional status of the Maryland Tree
Expert License at it’s highest level;
2. This year’s Arbor Day Project at the Baltimore County Center for Maryland
Agriculture in Cockeysville on April 5th was a huge success. We had nearly 100
professional volunteer arborists on that day helping to beautify the grounds,
our biggest turnout to date. This was so awesome there is an article about the
event in the June ISA Arborist News (page 34). Thank you to all of you who
volunteered;
3. We are working with one of our board members, Stanton Gill in partnering with
MNLA, MGGA, Montgomery College and U of MD to hold and Energy Conference in
November. If you have any ideas for the program, please write to us or call
Vanessa;
4. We continue to offer excellent educational sessions through our Annual Winter
Seminar at Turf Valley in January. Recertification for Certified Pesticide
Applicators is included, as well. Due to some new changes in the Critical Area
law passed this year we are looking at that for one of our topics this January.
In the mean time I would encourage you to read up on the changes.
Volunteerism is the key to an organization such as the Maryland Arborist
Association; we welcome active participation for the planning and overseeing of
MAA events. The Board of Directors encourages any member to consider a more
active role in this organization. Please speak with any current officers or
other Board Members should you wish to join the Board.
Should you have any questions about your attached membership renewal form,
please contact Vanessa Finney, Executive Director, at 410-321-8082.
Thanks once more for your membership and I hope to see you at our events.
Sincerely,
Nicholas Valentine
President, Maryland Arborist Association

Change in Tree Expert Law Now Effective
Marylanders in need of tree care should be aware that the
change in the law governing
tree experts became effective October 1, 2005.
The new law states that anyone performing tree care or removal for hire must be
licensed by the Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR). The new law is
designed to protect consumers from persons performing tree care or removal who
are not licensed or insured. To read more or get tips on how choose a licensed
tree care expert, click
here.
October 6, 2005
The Maryland Department of Natural Resources (DNR) is the
state agency responsible for providing natural and living resource-related
services to citizens and visitors. DNR manages more than 446,000 acres of public
lands and 18,000 miles of waterways, along with Maryland's forests, fisheries
and wildlife for maximum environmental, economic and quality of life benefits. A
national leader in land conservation, DNR-managed parks and natural, historic
and cultural resources attract 11 million visitors annually. DNR is the lead
agency in Maryland's effort to restore the Chesapeake Bay, the state's number
one environmental priority. Learn more at
www.dnr.maryland.gov
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